Rifle



Sept. 13, 1938.

R. M. CATRON" RIFLE Filed March 15, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTOR 711455666 MCatron .4 TTORNE r Sept. 13, 1938. R. M. CATRON RIFLE Filed March 15, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MN 3 Q INVENTOR BY EQSS ZZJFCaW T/ A TTORNEY Patented Sept. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to rifles, more particularly to semi-automatic rifles and also with slight modification, a complete automatic rifle, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a rifle which is generally known as semi-automatic that may be with just slight modification made into a complete automatic rifle;

Second, to provide a rifle'of this class which is very light in accordance with its operation;

Third, to provide a rifle of this class which is made up of a relatively small number of parts in accordance with its functions;

Fourth, to provide a rifle of this class in which the several parts are interchangeableand easily replaced and all parts easy to manufacture;

Fifth, to provide a rifle of this class in which all the parts and their relative operations are positive and effective;

Sixth, to provide a rifle of this class in which the sights are positioned at the sides of the rifle and not at the upper side as in the conventional type;

Seventh, to provide a rifle of this class with the sights so arranged that they may be utilized and still the operator is protected against fire from the enemy to a large extent;

Eighth, to provide a rifle of this class with sights which are so arranged and constructed that the sights may be alined up quickly and positively;

Ninth, to provide a rifle of this class in which the sights are provided with new and novel means of adjustment so that the same may be adjusted 5 without shifting position or in any way moving the rifle out of firing position;

Tenth, to provide a rifle of this class with new and novel trigger apparatus;

Eleventh, to provide a rifle of this class with new and novel bolt lock apparatus;

Twelfth, to provide a rifle of this class with new and novel bolt control apparatus;

Thirteenth, to provide a rifle of this class in which the rifle throughout is provided with an air jacket for cooling purposes;

Fourteenth, to .provide a rifle of this class in which the rifle: casing extends past the end of the barrel to provide reaction for drawing fresh air through the barrel immediately after the discharge of the bullet;

Fifteenth, to provide a rifle of this class in which the barrel and its supporting casing are so arranged and constructed that they maintain the same relative position under all conditions;

Sixteenth, to provide a rifle of this class which providesior very rapid fire accompanied with 1. accuracy;

, f Seventeenth, to provide a rifle of this class with Fan effective hand guard or support whereby the rifle may be readily used for bayonet purposes for a spear or the rifle as a whole used as a club;

Eighteenth, to provide, a rifle that reduces the recoil caused by powerful military cartridges; Nineteenth, to provide a rifle with such simple rugged construction that it will form a base for all infantry. weapons, thus simplifying the present complex system of troop training;

Twentieth, to provide a rifle in which the opcrating parts in their various functions cause no jerk, jar or creeps to annoy the operator or disarrange his aim; and

Twenty-first, to provide a rifle of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, durable, easy to operate, effective in action, and'which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order. p

With these and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, my invention consistsof certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be, hereinafter described in detail and particuvlarly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters ofv reference thereon which form a partof this application, in which:

Figure .1 is a top or plan view of my rifle complete showing some of the parts and portions fragmentarily; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the middle thereof showing some of the parts and portions in elevation to facilitate theillustration and showing some of the parts fragmentarily; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged-scale through 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through 44 of Fig. 2'on an enlarged scale and showing the front sight of the'rifle; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view through 66 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7. is a transverse sectional view through 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through 8-.-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view through 9-'-9 of Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale from the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 2; Fig. 11 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectionalv view on an enlarged scale from that of Fig. 2 showing the bolt and its operating mechanism in its backward position as distinguished from the forward position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the lrigger group in a slightly modified form from the other-views of the drawings showing the construction for providing the rifle in complete automatic form or construction and showing the mechanism in forward or firing position; Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view through I3l3 of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through l4-I4 of Fig. 11; Fig. 15 is ,a side elevational view of a bayonet used in connection with said rifle; Fig. 16 a top view thereof, and Fig. 17 a front view thereof.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The rifle casing or stock consisting of the butt casing portion I, rotor chamber 2, magazine chamber 3, and barrel casing 4, constitute the principal parts of the casing; these with the rotor crank 5, crank connection member 5, recoil spring guide I, recoil spring 9, breech bolt 9, fir-i ing pm Hi, firing pin spring ll, breech bolt 10014;;

l2, cartridge extractor l3, cartridge ejector i4, 11'- fle barrel l5, rifle barrel extension l6, casing cone; necting nut l1, barrel lock l8, magazine follower: l9, magazine follower spring 20, magazine floor plate 2|, breech bolt lock guides 22 and 23, trigger group casing 24, trigger .25, trigger shank 26, trigger safety 21, trigger spring 28, trigger and bolt control member 29, trigger and bolt control member spring 30, trigger shank spring 3|, bell cranks 32 and 33, sear 34, sear strut 35, sear strut spring 36, bolt stop 31, rear sight 38, rear sight supporting bracket 39. rear sight elevating nut 40, windage screw 4|, windage nut 42, rear sight support bracket spring 43, retainer nut 44,

front sight 45, front sight supporting bracket -ber at 2a, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 11 of the drawings. Then the front portions of the two members are secured rigidly together by means of a nut H, the upper and lower portions of the casing being threaded to receive said nut I1. This provides means for removing the upper portion of the casing, and this nut also provides means for securing the front sight in position in connection with the casing at the front end of the rifle. The butt portion l is simply a hollow casing in conventional form and provided in its lower side with a sling connection Ia which is adapted to receive the sling for carrying the rifle. Forwardly of this butt portion is the rotor chamber 2 which is enlarged to provide revoluble movement of the rotor. The rotor consists of a double crank member 5 which is-pivoted in the wall of the casing at points 2a and 2b at opposite sides of the chamber 2 and provided with bearings in said walls at these points 20. and 2b. It is also provided with a bearing portion 5a upon which is pivotally mounted by means of the bearing 5a. a crank connection member 6 which extends forwardly from said bearing So, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 11 of the drawings, thus providing for reciprocal movement of the member 6 by the rotation of the double crank 5.

Pivotally connected with the member 6 is a recoil spring guide I which extends backwardly and is shiftably supported at its extended end in a bearing member lb in the forward portion of the butt portion I, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It is provided in this extended end with a tap screw la to prevent said spring guide from coming out of its bearing lb. Mounted around this recoil spring guide 'I is a recoil spring 8 which is a compression spring and tends to hold the member 6 forwardly at all times. The crank connection member 6 is pivotally connected with the rear end of the breech bolt 9 so that with the reciprocation of the breech bolt 9 the rotor 5 revolves in the rotor chamber 2 in the enlarged space provided therefor. The breech bolt 9 is generally round from end to end but is provided near its rear end with extended side portions 9a which serve as guides for the bolt 9. The opposite edges of these members 9a are guided by extended portions 240. of the trigger group casing 24, shown best in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. Said bolt is provided in its forward end with a firing pin l0, there being provided a bore in said bolt in which the firing pin I9 is reciprocally mounted. This firing pin I is provided with a reduced stem portion around which is mounted a firing pin spring II which tends to force the firing pin outwardly longitudinally of the bolt 9, all as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In the normally upper side of the bolt 9 is a groove near the forward end in which is mounted the cartridge extractor 13 which is provided with an inwardly extending lug portion l3a which is positioned in a recess in the bottom of the groove in said member 9 so that the member I3 is held in rigid relation relatively to the bolt 9. This extractor member I3 is provided on its extended end with an inwardly extending hook portion l3b which is adapted to engage the channel in the rear end of the cartridge and withdraw the same when the bolt member 9 is in retracted position.

The forward end of the bolt is reciprocally mounted in the rifle barrel extension l6 which is secured at the back end of the rifle barrel by means of square threads and this member i6 is provided with a bore adapted to receive the forward end of the bolt 9. The rifle barrel l extends forwardly from this barrel extension IS a suitable distance and is positioned in spaced relation from the barrel casing 4 and is held in such spaced relation by means of three lugs two of which are stationary and designated 4a; the other one or upper one is positioned centrally at the top side of the barrel and supported on a barrel lock l8 and which is designated l8a, all as shown best in Fig. 9 of the drawings. This provides a means for supporting the barrel I5 relative to the casing portion 4 in proper spaced relation and maintaining it there under all conditions. The member l8 which supports the lug Illa. is pivotally supported at one end and is supported by means of a spring lab at its opposite end tending to force the lug l8a. into a notch I50 in the barrel l5, thus providing means for holding the barrel in its backward position relatively to the casing portion 4, all as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The casing 4 is enlarged and reinforced at 4b. The member 4b is provided on the one side with a groove 40 therein which is a dovetail groove,

as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In this groove 40 is mounted the one end of a member 45 which has a conforming shape to said groove, as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and this member 46 is held in position by means of a nut I I the one side of which is forced against the side of the member 46 at the dovetailed end thereof. This member 46 is provided with a loop portion 46a with an opening therethrough in which is mounted the front sight 45. This front sight is provided with a screw shank 45a which fits into a vented opening 46b in the member 46 which provides adjustment for the sight 45. The sight 45 is made with a small opening centrally therein 45b and with slots extending from the sides thereof in opposite directions forming a cross so that the sight opening may be quickly located by means of the cross formed by said slots. Backwardly from this sight on the casing 4 is a combined handle, hand guard and sling connection, the casing 4 being extended at the sides at 4:1 and at the opposite side with a similar extension, only further extended, which is designated 46. This portion extends downwardly some distance on a backwardly curved form, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and designated 412 These portions 411, 4e and 4 form a guard or shield for the hand when using the rifle as a spear. Mounted on the lower end of the portion 4f is an elongated loop member 4g provided with a slot to provide for the sling strap. Backwardly from the hand guard member just described on the casing 4 is'the magazine chamber 3 which is approximately rectangular in shape and adapted to receive the loaded cartridge, the cartridges being set in in offset relation, as shown best in Fig. 14 of the drawings. This magazine chamber 3 fits into an opening conforming to its outer surface in the main casing of the rifle at the lower side thereof and its major axis extending longitudinally of the rifle. It is provided with a magazine follower spring 20, shown best in Figs. 2 and 11 of the drawings,

and positioned between this spring and the cartridges is the magazine follower I9. This magazine follower I9 is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly in the magazine chamber 3 and is provided at its back side with an extended portion I9a which is adapted to engage the bolt stop 31 and raise it when the magazine is empty of cartridges, the bolt stop being shown best in Fig. 13 of the drawings. Mounted at the lower side of the magazine chamber is a magazine floor plate ZI which fits over the lower end of the magazine and supports the spring 29 and cartridges and is held in position by means of a latch member 2Ia which extends out through the spring portion of said member 2| adapted to be engaged by the operator for releasing the member 2i so that it may be removed for repairing the magazine chamber.

Mounted in the casing back of the magazine chamber 3 and forming part of the upper portion of the back wall of the magazine chamber is the breech bolt lock guide 22 and breech bolt lock guide 23. The lock guide 22 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 22a and with a backwardly extending portion 22b which backwardly extending portion extends backwardly in position to engage the sides of the breech bolt lock I2 and hold it in certain relation on the breech bolt and barrel extension I6 and hold them in certain relation to each other.

The breech bolt lock guide 23 also has an upwardly extending portion which extends upwardly on the back side of the bolt and is designated 23a, and also has a backwardly extending portion 23b which also engages the bolt lock and rifle barrel extension and holds them in certain relation to each other during the high compression or before the bullet leaves the end of the barrel.

The breech bolt lock I2 that is engaged by the ends of the members 22b and 23b is revolubly mounted in an annular groove in the outer surface of the breech bolt 9. It is normally held in upright position, as shown best in Fig. 6 of the drawings, by means of the members 2% and 23b. This lock member I2 is also held from turning by means of frictional engagement by reason of soft metal contacting with hard metal, there being provided a bronze ring embedded in the bolt 9, designated I2a, and engaging the bolt lock I2 which is hard metal, thus' tending to frictionally hold the bolt look from turning relatively to the bolt. Also to assist in supporting the lock in its locked position relatively to the bolt there is provided a bronze lining along the beveled back surface of the lock member I2 at I 2b, the bronze being the beveled part of the lock I2 and the lock is positioned back of the bronze portions I2a; thus providing means for holding the lock from turning while the pressure is at its maximum or high point, but when the pressure is released the lock will readily and quickly turn a quarter revolution to the position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, which permits the bolt to move backwardly and is separated from the barrel extension I6, all as shown best in Fig. 11 of the drawings. It will be noted that the bolt lock I2 is provided with beveled surfaces at its opposite ends which engage with contiguous spiral walls in a lock re cess in the barrel extension It, thus providing means for turning this look with the backward and forward movement of the bolt.

The breech bolt 9 is provided in its lower side with longitudinal slots at its forward end in which the cartridge ejector I4 rests at its upper side. This cartridge ejector I4 is pivotally mounted and provided with a spring tending to hold its free side upwardly in this slot in the breech bolt 9 so that with the recoil of the bolt the upper edge of the free side of the member I4 moves upwardly against the beveled surface and engages the end of the cartridge and throws it upward y through the opening in the top of the barrel extension I6 and through the housing, both shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Mounted in the lower side of the main casing and back of the members 22 and 23 is a trigger group casing 24 which supports the entire trigger group in its operative relation to each other and is also provided with extended portions for supporting the rear end of the bolt in its reciprocation. Slidably mounted vertically in this casing 24 is a trigger and bolt control member 29 which is provided with a double bevel on its upper end which engages a conforming notch in the lower side of the breech bolt 9 and holds it in firing position. These conforming bevels on the notch in the breech bolt 9 and on the member 29 aso provide means for moving the member 29 downwardly with the backward movement of the bolt, the member 29 being forced down against the action of the spring 30 and also indirectly upon the spring 36 through the bell crank 33; the one member of the bell crank 33 being engaged by the lower end of the member 29 in its downward movement and thereby compressing the spring 35, it being shown in its compressed position in Fig. 11 of the drawings, and in its extended position in Fig. 2 of the drawings. With the downward movement of the member 29 the trigger shank is also moved downwardly out of engagement with the downwardly extending portion of the bell crank 32, thus releasing the shank from the bell'crank which disconnects the trigger and frees the same. The member 29 is also provided with a spring 3i which also engages the shank 26 and tends to hold the shank upwardly for engagement with the bell crank as soon as the member 29 is upward in firing position.

The spring 36 surrounds a sear strut 35 and this sear strut is provided with an offset portion which engages the one member of the bell crank 32 which bell crank is shiftable between said offset portion and the sear 34 to which the strut is pivotally connected, all asshown best in Figs. 2 and 11 of the drawings. The sear 34 is pivotally mounted in the trigger group casing forwardly of its connection with the sear strut 35, and it is provided with an upwardly extending beveled projection which engages with the sear notch la in the firing pin, shown best in Fig. 11 of the drawings, and holds the firing pin in ready position for firing.

The firing pin I is also provided with a forwardly extending portion l0b which is provided on its forward end with a beveled portion which engages a conforming beveled portion on the lock member l2 so that the locking member l2 tends to force the firing pin out of engagement with the primer of the exploded cartridge. This also provides means whereby the lock must be in a certain position or the rifie will not be in firing position. In other words, the lock member l2 must revolve sumciently to permit the firing pin to strike the primer in the cartridge.

Pivotally connected with the trigger shank 26 is the trigger 25 which is reciprocally mounted horizontally in the main casing and it is provided with a spring 28 which engages by means of a stud 28a which engages the middle portion of the rear end of the trigger member 25. The trigger 25 is provided with a safety 21 which is revolved a one-half revolution to provide for operation of the trigger and is operable from the outside of the casing at the normally right side of the rifle, all as shown best in Fig. of the drawings. Mounted in the casing just back of the trigger 25 and spring 28 near the lower side is a windage screw 4|, shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings, which is provided with an external thread 4la upon which is mounted a windage nut 42 which is provided with a conforming internal thread 420 and this nut is provided with a flange portion which rests against the outside of the casing near the lower side, all as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings. This windage nut is also provided with an external thread 42b which is adapted to receive a retainer nut 44 which rests against a spring washer which is interposed between said nut and the inner side of the casing member. This windage screw is provided with a bore therethrough and with an enlarged portion in which is mounted a spring Nb and mounted in this spring 41b is a square nut 39a which is screwably mounted on the extended end of a shank of the supporting bracket 39 which extends through the smaller part of the bore in the windage screw 4| and outwardly some distance therefrom and is provided with an upwardly extending portion 39b. This portion 39b is provided'with a bore in which is mounted the sight member 38 which is provided on its lower end with a threaded portion 38a upon which is mounted a rear sight elevating nut 40. This nut 40 is provided with a V-shaped groove 40a which is adapted to receive a conforming end of a plunger member 390 which is supported by a spring 39d which tends to hold the plunger member in the notch 40a and maintain the tension between the members 39 and 40 and also provide means for determining the amount of adjustment. The groove 40a is provided with a series of notches which provide a clicking movement with the turning of the nut 40.

The member 38 is provided with a central hole in its upper end 38b to sight through and also provided with slots extending at right angles at opposite sides to provide a cross-like arrangement similar to the structure shown in the front sight 45 and for the same purpose.

Mounted in the normally right side of the rifle is a bolt handle 41 which is provided with a reduced extended portion 41a which is adapted to fit into a hole in the guide portions 9a on the bolt member 9. It is provided with a spring 41b which tends to hold said bolt member outwardly in a casing 410, all as shown best in Fig. 10 of the drawings.

In order to use the rifle for spearing purposes, I have provided a bayonet 48 which is provided with a handle Mic with a finger shield 48b and with an upright portion 480 in the upper por tion of which is provided an opening 48d which is adapted to fit over the extended end of the casing 4 outwardly of the nut H. The bayonet is provided with a double-edged tapering point 48c which is provided on its opposite sides with grooves 48! and is also provided with a plurality of orifices 48g extending through the blade from side to side.

The semi-automatic operation of my rifie is as follows: The rifle is operated on the recoil prin ciple and with the magazine filled and the rifle ready to operate, Fig. 2 showing various parts of the rifle in the position of firing. In order to get the rifle in the firing position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the trigger 25 is first drawn backwardly which draws the trigger shank 26 backwardly rotating the bell crank 32 which lowers the sear 34 disengaging the sear from the sear notch Illa in the firing pin which releases the firing pin and the spring H forces the firing pin forward which explodes the primer in the cartridge in the chamber. Thus this operation so far described brings the rifle and its parts into position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

It will be here noted that this rifle does not fire upon the forward stroke of the bolt, bu fires upon the forward stroke of the firing p n. The recoil caused by the explosion of the cartridge causing the bolt to move backwardly carrying with it the barrel extension and barrel which are locked in connection with the bolt by means of the locking member I2, as shown in the positions in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This carries the member 6 backwardly starting the rotation of the member 5 and compressing the spring 8 on the recoil spring guide 1. At the same time the vmember 29, shown best in Fig. 11 of the drawings, is carried downwardly compressing the spring 30 carrying the trigger shank 26 out of engagement with the bell crank 32 also depressing the rear portion of the bell crank 33 in a position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings and compressing the spring 36 increasing the upward pressure on the sear 34. When the bolt Hi, together with the barrel extension and barrel moves backwardly approximately one-half inch, the lock member i2 revolves a one-quarter revolution because of its having cleared the lock guides 22b and 23b. The bolt III is now free to move rearwardly carrying with it the empty cartridge case gripped in the extractor I3, which causes a complete rotation of the member 5 as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. Upon this rearward movement the cartridge ejector i4 strikes a sharp blow on the lower left hand corner of the cartridge case, pivoting it upwardly and out to the right through the ejection opening. The bolt is now in the rear position with the recoil spring compressed as shown best in Fig. 11 of the drawings, which completes the cycle.

Now proceeding with the closing cycle, the continuation of the rotor 5 causes the forward movement of the member 6 carrying with it the bolt 10, the front of said bolt engaging the top of the rim of'the first cartridge in the magazinc and carrying it forward into the chamber. Just before the bolt l0 reaches its forward position, the lock l2 striking its grooves in the barrel'extension assumes an upright locked position as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Just as the bolt iii'reaches its forward and firing position, the member 29 moves upwardly into engagement with its notch in the bolt locking the mechanism in firing position, also, permitting the trigger shank 26 under the action of its supporting spring 3| to engage the bell crank 32 as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This also permits the rear portion of the bell crank 33 to raise. and the opposite end to lower releasing the high pressure against the sear 34 which is engaged in the sear notch in the firing pin in which completes the closing cycle of the bolt.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a slight modification of the trigger group and barrel extension and the trigger group casing 24 to provide an absolutely automatic rifle instead of semi-automatic as has heretofore been described. In this modified structure shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings the trigger shank 49 is provided with a beveled receding hook portion which serves as a cam 49a which engages the bell crank member and shifts the same so that the other member engages the offset portion on the strut 35' and draws the sear downwardly out of engagement. It will also be noted that the spring 3| is omitted so that the. sear is drawn downwardly and the trigger shank is released so that there is combined action of the trigger shank and the upward movement of the member 29 and the sear so that the rifle is always in firing position and will fire as long as the trigger is drawn back.

It willaiso be noted that the trigger group casing 24 is provided above and below the bolt 9 with pin members 59 which are provided with beveled ends which engage the back side of the lock which turns the lock over and releases the same and permits the reciprocal motion of the bolt. The relative positions of these pins 50 are shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

It will here be noted that the automatic action will take place without the use of the pin in engagement with the lock l2, however by the use of this pin the speed of the automatic action is accelerated and made more positive.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and a certain modification thereof, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, nor to the modification thereof, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the constructlon, combination andarrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing therein provided with a rotor chamber therein, a crank rotor revolubly mounted in: said rotor chamber, a breech bolt associated with said rotor, a rifle barrel extension in which said breech bolt is reciprocally mounted, and a breech bolt lock revolubly mounted relative to said breech bolt and adapted to engage said barrel extension for locking said breech bolt and barrel extension in certain relation to each other.

2. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing therein provided with a rotor chamber therein, a crank rotor revolubly mounted in said rotor chamber, a breech boltassociated with said rotor, a rifle barrel extension in' which said breech bolt is reciprocally mounted, a breech bolt lock revolubly .mounted relative to said breech bolt and adapted to engage said barrel extension for locking said breech bolt and barrel extension in certain relation to each other, and guide means in said casing adapted to engage-said breech lock for releasing the same. V

3. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing there- -in provided with a rotor chamber therein, a

crank rotor revolubly mounted in said rotor chamber, a breech bolt associated with said rotor, a rifle barrel extension in which said breech bolt is reciprocally mounted, a breech bolt lock revolubly mounted relative to said breech bolt and adapted to engage said barrel extension for locking said breech bolt and barrel extension in certain relation to each other, and guide means in said casing adapted to engage said breech bolt .lock for releasing the same and for holding said breech bolt lock in certain relation to said breech bolt.

4. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing therein provided with a rotor chamber therein, a crank rotor revolubly mounted in said rotor chamber, a breech bolt associated with said rotor, a rifle barrel extension in which said breech bolt is reciprocally mounted, a breech bolt lock revolubly mounted relative to said breech bolt and adapted to en.- gage said barrel extension for locking said breech bolt and barrel extension in certain relation to each other, guide means in said casing adapted to engage said breech bolt lock for releasing the same and for holding said breech bolt lock in certain relation to said breech bolt, and means in relation to said breech bolt for holding it in spaced relation to the rest of the rifle during certain phases oi. its operation.

5. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing therein provided with a rotor chamber therein, a crank rotor revolubly mounted in said rotor chamber, a crank connection member directly connected with said rotor, a breech bolt directly connected with said crank connection member and a breech bolt lock associated with said breech bolt.

6. In a rifle, a rifle stock, a main casing therein provided with a rotor chamber therein, a crank rotor revolubly mounted in said rotor chamber, a crank connection member directly connected with said rotor, a breech bolt directly connected with said crank connection member, a breech bolt lock associated with said breech bolt, and resilient recoil means associated with said rotor and with said main casing backwardly of said rotor.

RUSSELL M. CATRON. 

